Visible Thinking – revealing learners’ unfolding ideas as they think through a topic!!

TAT = Thinking about Thinking…I have always called it a “Brain Splat”, as I demonstrate (complete with actions!) that it means how a child is taking their thinking from their brain and splatting it on a paper for all to see… Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.This kind of observable representation documents and supports the development of an individual’s or groups’s ongoing thoughts, questions, reasons and reflections. After all, as I say, “If you keep those thougths in your head, how will we ever know??! We can’t read your mind!!”. I am currently taking an online course through the famous Project Zero at Harvard University called Visible Thinking. It has been fascinating to see how my previous practices fit into the modern labels, and also to learn about brand new techniques and routines that move students’ thinking in new and exciting ways. These thinking routines can be used in any subject area, such as Literacy CAFE and math, but I have used them extensively during the past Unit of Inquiry on Wellbeing, as well as the current unit on Systems of Weather Patterns. There is a bulletin board up in the classroom that has the names of all the routines as they are introduced, and it is interesting to see how familiar the children are becoming with them. They may be simple frameworks, but they are incredibly useful for developing deep and insightful thinking. Just so you parents are familiar with the language used in the classroom, here is a list of the Visible Thinking routines we have used so far in class:

Think-Pair-Share

I Used to think…But now I think…

See-Think-Wonder

Connect-Extend-Challenge

Compass Points (NEWS)

Think-Puzzle-Explore

What Makes you Say That?

3-2-1

Stop-Start-Keep

Break it up… Make it up

Define-Connect-Explain

Have a look at this slide show that shows visual images of the various Visible Thinking Routines that have been used over the past unit on Wellbeing and into the current unpacking of the new “Systems for Predicting and Problem-solving” unit…

Check out all of our student-written reflections here...

A big part of ISM is reflective thinking... being active thinking about your thinking!! You will be able to read all the posts written by the citizens of Smartia by clicking on the image above. Imagine, it will be almost as if you were right there on the spot with the students!! Enjoy !

Here\'s a direct link to all of Mrs McGrath\'s classroom photos from FLICKR...

ISM has a Flickr photo account accessible on the portal page. However, if you click on the image above, you can have quick direct access to all of the wonderful photos that come from Mrs. McGrath's world of Smartia! There are so many adventures to view, so click away and enjoy being a "fly on the wall" !! Spread the word so that all overseas family and friends can see what is happening a world away!

Check out all of our fantastic student-created videos here... Book Talks and more!

There are so many ways to demonstrate learning and understanding - gone are the days of purely doing writtten assignments! Information can be shared through the medium of video. Different students learn in different styles and certainly it's true that variety is the spice of life!! Are you demonstrating understanding if you can explain something orally?? Are you understanding if you can demonstrate a skill?? Is it good to spread the news about a great book that you just read??Absolutely yes!! Share your enthusiasm... Throughout the year, the citizens of Smartia will be doing some special video projects that are sure to create excitement. Click on the image above to see videos that have been created by our students. Enjoy - Hollywood, here we come!!